Winter is melting away and spring is on the horizon! If you look around you, the you'll see the wildflowers are beginning to bloom and it's warming up enough to hang your winter coat in the closet for next season. That means it's time to fill our calendars with all the fun Spring festivals that the Rogue Valley has to offer. From family friendly activities to tasty artisan bites, there's something for everyone to experience in Medford. Get your planners out because you'll want to mark these dates down for fun springtime events you don't want to miss!
The Pear Blossom Festival dates back to 1954, when the Fruit Grower’s League, Chamber of Commerce, Merchants Association, American Legion and the school district all came together to create an event in honor of the spring season. The first year, they held a children's parade and elected a five-year old, "Miss Blossom" to reign over the 10 floats. Since 1957, the festival has elected children to be the King and Queen each year. Over the years, parade marshals have included some impressive names including Governor Holmes (1957), John F. Kennedy (1960), and Frank Shorter (1977).
In the sixty-eight years that the Pear Blossom Festival has existed, it's grown into a beloved local tradition with a full roster of multi-day events for you to enjoy. This long list of activities will keep you busy enjoying all that springtime has to offer in the Rogue Valley. You can sprinkle these activities into your calendar this spring over the next few weeks. It's a great way to bring in the new season!
PEAR A FARE
Downtown Medford
Friday, April 8th | 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday, April 9th | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
It's no secret that the Rogue Valley's fertile culinary landscape has a wide array of flavors to try. The Pear A Fare collects a variety of these mouthwatering delights in one place for you to taste, including wines, beers and local artisan flavors. Here you'll find local vineyards, breweries, and delectable bites made by artisan food makers. You can purchase a $5 ticket at the entrance and get 5 samples, and vendors will have their beverages for sale for you to enjoy at home!
SMUDGE POT STROLL
Friday April 8th | 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Pear Blossom Festival kicks off opening night with the Smudge Pot Stroll, a downtown walking and tasting tour through Medford. You can buy a $40 ticket that will get you a wine glass and access to sample local artisan dishes. You can experience up to 15 participating downtown restaurants and the flavors they're cooking up for this grand evening. You can call 541-840-7209 for more information and to purchase tickets.
PEAR BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PARADE
Saturday April 9th | 11 a.m.
The Pear Blossom Parade is one of Medford's most longstanding and treasured traditions. These days, the parade is comprised of 4,000 participants that begin at the corner of Beatty St. and Central Avenue, and travel down Central Ave turning onto West Main St and ending the journey on Mistletoe St. If you want to catch a front row view, you should get there early to beat the crowd!
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Saturday April 2nd | 9 a.m. Shotgun Start
Sunday April 3rd | 9 a.m. Shotgun Start
Eagle Point Golf Club & Centennial Golf Club
A week before the parade, Pear Blossom hosts the annual Pear Blossom Golf Tournament. An entry fee will get you 36 holes on the Eagle Point Golf Club and Centennial Golf Club. You will also get free range balls, and access to practice facilities, as well as a continental breakfast and lunch for players and sponsors both days. If golf is something you enjoy, you will want to sign up for this tournament!
PEAR BLOSSOM RUN
Saturday, April 9th | 11 a.m.
You can choose between a 5K or a 10 mile race, or sign up for a 1 or 2 mile fun run! This year, the Pear Blossom Run is going to be in-person with a virtual option for those who are more comfortable. You can register online and secure your spot at the starting line! Medals will be awarded to all 5K and 10 mile runners, and ribbons will be given to those who participate in the fun run! You will want to stop by the YMCA for packet pick-up on Friday, April 8th between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. unless you sign up for the virtual race, in which case you can expect your packet to be sent in the mail until April 9th.
STREET FAIR
Friday April 8th | 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday April 9th | 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Downtown Medford
Stroll through downtown Medford and enjoy the foods, fun games, vendors and live music! Take your time to explore all that the Pear Blossom Street Fair has to offer. You can grab a bite and shop from some talented makers, while listening to fun live bands. The festival lasts practically all day, and since there is so much to do and see, make sure you dedicate enough hours to experiencing it all.
CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
Saturday, April 9th | 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
1 West Main St
Sign up for the 2nd Annual Pear Blossom Cornhole Doubles Tournament and you just might win the $1000 first place prize! Second place will be awarded $650 and Third Place will earn $250. The entry fee is $80 per team. For more information, you can call 541-840-7209.
PEDALS N' PEARS
Saturday April 16th | 8 a.m.
The 6th annual Pedal for a Cause Bike Ride is a great way to cycle your way into the spring season. You can choose from a few options to select a distance that works best for you: The Bosc (14 miles), The Bartlett (30 miles), The Royal Riviera Metric Century (62 mile). If you'd prefer a ride for the family, you can choose the Comice Family Ride which will follow the Bear Creek Greenway to Rogue Valley Mentoring's Center for a rest stop and educational games. You can check in for the ride at 7:30 am for an 8 a.m. start time unless you choose the family ride, in which case you have an extra hour to get to the 9 a.m. start time. Check in will be at the Pavilion in Medford's Bear Creek Park. You will be able to register and pick up your packet on Friday, April 15th from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 2nd | 11 a.m. 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 3rd | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Jackson County Expo, Central Point
Rogue Valley's Oregon Cheese Festival is exactly the dairy fueled dream you'd imagine. For the last 15 years, this festival has celebrated some of the most mouthwatering cheeses made by some of the most renowned cheesemakers, including a local favorite: Rogue Creamery. It has grown into one of the largest cheese-themed festivals in America. Here you can sample and purchase artisan cheeses and delightful pairings to go with it including beer, wine, cider and other appetizing pairings. We can think of no better way to pay homage to one of the delicious savory treats in the world.
You can gain entry to this exquisite cheesy wonderland for $20 in advance and $25 at the door for one day general admission. You can add beverage sampling to your experience for $15 in advance, or $20 at the door which will also earn you a commemorative glass to keep. As if you would need more incentive to attend this festival each year, you can add a commemorative glass your collection annually! If you want an upgraded Cheese Festival experience, you can spring for the $70 VIP ticket which will get you a two-day pass, early entry for Saturday at 10am, drink tastings, and a goodie bag. Talk about a deal!
You'll be happy to know that the proceeds from this event go towards the Oregon Cheese Guild, a non-profit that is a dedicated collaborative effort to increase awareness of Oregon's cheeses, create educational opportunities, and provide a platform for Oregon cheesemakers to share resources. The price of your admission will go directly towards supporting Oregon's artisan cheesemakers. We call that a win win!
April 1st - April 10th | Virtual
Over the last 21 years, the Ashland Independent Film Festival had showcased high quality independent films and was named twice for being among the "25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" by Movie Maker. This year, the festival will be held virtually from April 1st through April 10th. With 10 days full of 60 feature films and 6 short films, there are plenty of chances for you to enjoy the talents of these skilled cinematographers. You can purchase your tickets online and access the festival on Eventive where you can participate in several Q&As.
This year, the Ashland Film Festival plans to host year-round events in Ashland to keep the watch party going. Later in person events will include Varsity World Film Weeks and Best of the Fests, featuring highlights from recent local festivals in Ashland and other surrounding cities. This is one spring festival that keeps on going!
Friday April 8th | 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday April 9th | 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Location: The Jackson County Expo | Central Point
Have you ever dreamed of a place where you could find awesome vintage antique home decor, plants and gardening tools and handmade gifts made by talented crafters from all over the Pacific Northwest? The Barnstomers Vintage Fair might just be fore you! There you can find vendors who offer some of the most unique, farmhouse, upcycled furniture and décor to update your home with interesting new pieces. You'll also find amazing artisan handmade goods, pottery, true vintage wares, macrame and lots of plants! Most of what you'll find are one of a kind pieces. That's why you might be interested in scoring a $12 "First Dibs Friday" entry ticket which will give you access to the event before everyone else from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. - otherwise, you can get a Friday ticket for 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. for $10. If you wait until Saturday, you can pay $8 for access to the event starting at 9 a.m., but if you wait until after 12 p.m. on Saturday, the price goes down to $5. If you want our advice, the sooner you can get there, the better, because these finds are not going to last long! You can buy your tickets online or at the door.
Saturday, May 7th | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Pine Street - between 1st and 6th Street
Made in Southern Oregon gathers some of the most impressive makers of Southern Oregon for you to walk and shop down Pine Street in Central Point. Here you can fine art, jewelry, leather goods, woodworks, food and drinks and lots more. Full of plenty of diverse vendors, this fun festival will have plenty to see and experience. You can split your time between shopping the festival, and touring the brick and mortar shops on Pine Street. So clear your calendar that day because you'll have plenty to do on May 7th!
Saturday May 7th | 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday May 8th | 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Longsword Vineyard
Looking for a fun way to spend Mother's Day Weekend? Head down to the 6th annual Kite Festival at Longsword Vineyard for a fun spectacle of kites in the air. You can come to watch, or join the fun by bringing your own! As if that weren't enough, you can also enjoy Longswords variety of wines from their family-owned vineyard. The tasting room and patio offer an inviting atmosphere to enjoy Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs to your heart's content! This vineyard lies between the Siskiyou, Cascade and Coastal mountain ranges and is comprised of 10 acres of vines, and 12 acres of exceptional natural beauty. Wine isn't the only thing housed Longsword Vineyard... you can also find a variety of farm animals including Plymouth Barred Rock chickens, Pilgrim geese, and three Baby Doll Southdown sheep named Einstein, Newton, and Hawking. Pair that with the Kite Festival, and we think the special mothers in your life will certainly have a great Mother's Day!
Saturday May 21 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Applegate Valley
Get ready for one of the best opportunities to try 18 of Applegate's finest wineries! Applegate Uncorked offers a self-guided tour where you can choose your starting point and venture to as many of the 18 participating wineries as you'd like! You can purchase a $59 ticket online, which will get you a commemorative Wine Trail glass, wine tastings and appetizers at each location. The great news for designated drivers is that they don't need to purchase a ticket; they can sample the food at each winery with their group! Each location will have an opportunity to learn more about the rick craft of winemaking, and the wines themselves. While you tour, you can stock up on bottles of wine to take home and enjoy 15% off Applegate Wine Trail Wines on this day. Sounds like the dreamiest way to spend a Saturday!
May 27th -30th
Location: Lithia Park
Memorial Day weekend will be full of vibrant culture, live music and community at Lithia Park in Ashland. Choose to enjoy the live music or participate in one of the smaller events, and immerse yourself in a worldly cultural experience right here in Medford.
SOUNDWALK
Saturday May 27th - Monday May 30th
All weekend long, you can choose to participate in the self-guided SoundWalk, a curated interactive, audio/visual tour that pairs music from around the world to art installations by local artists. You can access the map starting on May 25 and stream the playlist online while you take the tour at your own pace.
PERCUSSION WORKSHOP
Friday May 27th | 12:30 p.m.
Southern Oregon University Music Building
If you're interest in participating in some musical activities, you can you check out the Percussion Workshop with Okaidja Afrodo at Southern Oregon University's Music Building. Don't miss the chance to learn the basic percussion methods from the Gah culture of Ghana. You do not need a ticket to attend this workshop, and participation is free!
HEARTBEAT STORIES: STORIES OF HOME
Friday May 27th | 12:30 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of storytelling and music at the HeartBeat Stories. Listen as people share their stories and gain a new perspective. This even is free, and open to all, with no tickets necessary.
PARK PERFORMANCES
Sunday, May 29th | 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Lithia Park Butler Bandshell
The main stage will feature musical artists that will expose you to new cultures, beats and instruments that will excite and inspire you. You can catch 5 different musical group performances while surrounded by the beauty of Lithia Park. You'll also find fun family friendly activities for all ages, and food trucks that to nourish your hunger with savory meals.
Saturday June 4th | 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Location: RoxyAnn Winery
If there's one thing we like more than alliteration, it's Brews, Bluegrass and BBQ! This extravaganza is going to feature musical talents from Hot Buttered Rum, and 33 String Drive at one of the most beautiful local vineyards: RoxyAnn Winery! This event will feature all of the best local and regional craft brews, plenty of catchy bluegrass tunes, and mouthwatering BBQ for you to sink your teeth into. Taste your way through some delicious smokey flavors while enjoying a craft beer and tapping your foot to some fun music! Can you name a better way to spend the evening?
